Rotary engine.



A. I.' HOWD.

ROTARY ENGfNE. l APPLICATION man Dsc. 12.1916.

Patented June 5, 19W.

Lmmm

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

' uvam/tov.

. xs .Ill Ilm All, Hown.

ROTARY ENGlNE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. \Z. 1916.

.Patented June 5, 1917 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. J. HOWD.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION HLED 950.12. 1916.

Patented 1J une f, 1917.

5 SHEETSl-SHEET 3.

A. l. HOWD.

ROTARY ENGSNE.

APPLmATloN man 050.12.1916.

Patented June 5, 1917 Lgivg.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4- A. J. HOWD.

ROTARY ENGiNE.

APPLICATION FILED 050.12. 1916.

angle to the axis of the shatt`26 in order that it may better coact with the explosive chamber or cylinder formed in the adjacent sides of the plates 16 and 17 It is also to be noted that the rotor is vprovided with a plurality of properly positioned ports 32 throughl which the explosive mixture from the pipe 21 is adapted to pass intermittently to the "cylinders formed in the plate 16 in desired se uence. l

bout the rotor and between the plates 16 and 17 is mounteda spark plug ring 35. This ring has its inner'periphery substantially equal to the outer periphery of the rotor 13, yet is of a size suiicient to permit free rotation of the rotor therein without `undue friction.' -A series of spark @plugs are mounted in this ring 35 and adjacent each spari; plug is a passageway 37 communicating with explosion chambers or cylinders directly opposite each other in the plates'16 and 17. lntermediate the spark plugs are opening'sf38 through which'bolts 40 are adapted to pass to clamp the plates 16 and 17 tightly against the ring 35 1n `operative relation to the rotor. At suitable intervals are third series of openings 41 A connecting an exhaust passage 42 in4 the plate 16 with an exhaust passage 43 in the plate 17. The latterconnects with a muffler l43 permitting a discharge of the exhaust gases to a. point exterior of the casing. The

' space vbetween lthe concave plates and rotor shown in Fig. lmay be used as a reservoir for lubricant to be distributed to the pis' Itons in any desireA manner.

Taking upy now the construction of the plates adjacent the rotor as shown in Figs.

` 4 and 5, each plate is provided with arseries of cylinders 45 in which the' pistons are adapted to successively coact. These cylinders conform as nearly. as possible to the path oi travel taken by the cylindrical pistons 30, `as they rotate about the main shaft vsa 1l and simultaneously abouttheir individual shafts'26. Accordingly, each cylinder 45 is of suliicient width: at each end to pery.mit the entrance and exit of the piston as it worms itsway about, while at the intermediate part, the opening is much* narrower and adapted to take over the vinner sides of the piston, so that the piston is substantiallyv buried Within the plate at the timethe explosion takes place.

The inner end of each of the cylinders 45, shown in Fig. 4, is connected by means of a port or passageway 46 to the surface of the plate to register with the ports 32 in the rotor.

The opposite ends of each of the cylinders 45 is provided with an exit port 5() communicating with the annular channel 42. There is also a third series of passageways 51'leading from a point slightly within; a circle drawn through the central part ofeach chamber towardA the outerperiphery of the plate 16, thencethrough the ports 37 in the casing ring 35 to corresponding ports. 52 in the plate 17, shown in Fig. 5. These-ports enter the upper ends of the cylinders 45 in plate 17 which are substanvtially the same inconstruction ,as those shown in Fig. 4, while the' inner ends of each of these cylinders 45 is provided with an exhaust port 53 communicatingwith the main' annular exhaust ring 43, shown in Fig. 1.

Thus when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 the inner ends' of four ofv the cylinders 45in the plate 16 and the outer: L ends of the corresponding four channels in the plate 17 are in communication with each other through the passageway or ports 37 in the ring 35, Fig. 2. At this moment, a spark is produced in the respective four'cylinders which causes the lrotor to move in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figs. 1

and 2. This movement automatically rotates the piston elements 14 in the direction indicated byz arrows in Fig. 2, that'is one of the pistons moves relativelyfoutwardly into the 'cylinder 45 in the plate 16 and while the diametricall'y opposite piston of the same element moves relatively inwardly in the corresponding cylinder 45 of the plate 17. It is,- yof course desirable that the ex- -plosion take lplace when the respective pistons are ,substantially midway in their respectiveleylinders.

The impulse obtained by the explosion wheny the parts are in the position immediately above described causes the ,compound rotation of each piston unit. Assum v ing the pistons aand c, Fig. 3, as having beenacted upon, the pistons b: and d are rotated in a clockwise'direction, as shown at the top of Fig.p1, bringing the piston b into the next adjacent left cylinder 45, shown in Fig. 5, while the piston ci enters the next adjacent right cylinder 45 in Fig; 4. When these pistons b and d reach. mid

position vin .the respective cylinders, the l next explosion takes place and the operation is repeated. Thus asthe pistons acted upon are forced out of their respective cylinders the following'pistons are entering the next Vadjacent cylinders to repeat the operation. lfnthis way a very rapid series or' explosions take place, forcing the rotor about the casing at a high rate of speed j,and

duc to the leverage obtained by placing the pistons vthe outer periphery of the rotor a high horse power is developed.

.at the lett oit the rotor as shown in Fig. positioned a magneto having coils and magnets G and commutator 57 so posi` iioned and arranged and timed with relation to the rotor as to actu; te the desired spark plugs in proper timed relation with f the rotation ot' the parts. As this will form the subject oi1 a separate invention, it is believed to be unnecessary to go into the details of construction at this time.

The compre for shown at the right of lfig. l for forcing the explosive mixture to the cylinders comprises a cylindrical casing having a reciprocating piston (il therein adapted to take in the explosive mixture from the carlmreter 2:2 admitted to passage iva y 52 through valves 63 and force the compressed mixture out through valves 64 to the interior ot' the casing l0. This mixture then passes through the pipe Q1 to the cylinders. The reciliuroeation of the piston 6l keyed or splined to the casing at 59 is obtained by the rotation of the shaft 1l which is provided with right and leftehand threads 65 and 6G respectively. Rings (i7 and 68, as shown in Fig, 9, are mounted upon the shaft ll and are provided with lugs coacting respectively with the threads (55 and 66. These rings are provided on their outer cylindrical surfaces with grooves 7l adapted to be engaged by a lug 72 carried by a flange in a reeiprocatory sleeve 7 3 upon which the piston lil mounted. rIhe sleeve 73 is provided with packing rings 7 4 at each end closely fitting the shaft il and the interior thereof may be packed with lubricant as desired. llacling rings 75 are also provided between the casing G0 and the sleeve 73 in order to malre'the compressor as near air tight as possible.

As to the operation of this device, assume the parts 'to be the position shown in ,F l with the piston having almost completed its left-hand movement. The lug 70 on the ring 67 will have reached the end of its groove and further rotation being teinporarily prevented the piston with its lug 7 2 will be rotated from the ring 68, to the ring 67, thus connecting the piston and ring 67, whereupon further rotation of the shaft l1 will cause the lug 7() on the ring 67 to follow its thread 66 and the piston to the righthand end el the chamber 60, whereupon the reverse takes place at ther right end and the piston 6l once more moves toward the lelt compressing the' explosive mixture in front of it and tuorcing it out through the lefthand valve di. lelic't ports 7S may be provided as ind icatcd in Fig. l to avoid excessive pressure This mechanism is substantiallv ident' "ie in 1 mechanism of the 'well lince. iv driver, in

axes lying 'in the plane of the rotor.

which a continuous movement of the driven element is obtained as the handle is reciprocated.

From the above, it is believed that the construction and operation of the engine will be clear and repetition thereof unnecessary. The device is relatively simple, compact and durable in construction, and is adapted to produce highly satisfactory results in all cases where high speed high power motors are desired. i

Without further' analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others canv by applying current knoivledge readily adapt `it for various applications without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range ofequivalency ofthe following claims: y

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a rotary engine, in combination, a easing having a pluralityl of separated cylinders formed in opposite walls thereof, a rotor turning therebetween, and revoluble pistons carried by said rotor successively en gaging said cylinders, said pistons being mounted on fixed axes lying in the plane ot' the rotor.

2; ln a. rotary engine, in combination, a casing having oppositely disposed plates each having a series of cylinders, a rotor revolnbly mounted therebetween and revolubly mounted pistons on Xed axes carried by the rotor coacting with said cylinders. Y 105 3. ln a rotary engine, in combination, a casing having a plurality ot plates each having a series of cylinders, a rotor and a plurality-of piston members carried 'by said rotor and revoluble in a plane at right angles to the plane of the rotor.

l. In a rotary engine, in combination, a casing having two spaced plates, a series of separated cylinders in said plates, a rotor revolubly mounted between the plates and a plurality of revoluble piston members each having a plurality of pistons carried by the rotor engaging the -cylinders in the said plates, said rpistons being mounted on fixed 5. In a rotary engine, in combination, a casing having a driven shaft, a rotor keyed to said shaft, a pair of spaced plates at op.- posite sides of said rotor normally held inixed position, a series of separated cylinders in said plates adjacent the rotor, and piston members mounted on fixed axes carried by the rotor coacting with said cylinders first on one side and then on the other.

6. In a rotary engine, in combination, a 13@ of spaced,` plates at opposite sides of said,

i casing having a driven shaft, rotor lieyed acting with said cylinders, said piston memto the cylinders ofthe other, spark plugsA bers comprising a plurality oi pistons adapted to successively engageI with the seriesiof cylinders and rotating in a plane at right angles tothe plane of the rotor about xed' axes. y

7.` InA a rotary engine, in combination, -a driven shaft, ay i'otorkeyed thereto, a pair of spaced plates adjacent the rotor, a series of cylinders in said plates,' a ringl surrounding said rotor and connecting the plates, passage Ways from the cylinders of one plate through said. ring to the cylinders of the other, spark plugs in said passage ways, and piston members carried by the rotor engaging opposite cylinders.l

8. In a rotary engine, in combination, a driven shaft, a rotor keyed thereto, a pair of spaced plates 'adjacent the rotor, a series of cylinders in said plates, aring surrounding said rotor a-nd connecting the plates, passage Ways from the cylinders or one plate in said passage Ways, and piston members carried bythe rotor engaging vopposite cylinders, said piston members comprising a plurality 4of diametrically oppositely disposed pistonsrevoluble about an axis lying in the plane of the rotor.

9. In a rotary engine, incombination, a i

driven shaft, a rotor keyed thereto, a pair of spaced plates adjacent the rotor, a series of cylinders in said plates, a ring surrounding said rotorvand connecting the plates,

lpassage Ways from the cylinders of one plate to the cylinders of the other, spark plugs in said passage Ways, piston members carried by the rotor comprising a plurality of diametrically oppositely,y disposed pistons revoluble about an axis in'the plane of the rotor, and a magneto controlled by the rotation of said driven shaft.

10.'In ,a rotary engine, in combination, a driven shaft, a rotor keyed-thereto, a pair rotor, cylinders in lsaid plates, a :source yor explosive mixture and ports in said rotor controllin the HOW ofsaid explosive mixture to said cylinders.

, 11.` In a rotary engine, in combination, a

driven shaft, a rotor thereon, a. plate adjacentV saidprotor having cylinders, piston 4members carried by the rotorcoacting with said cylinders, a source of explosive mix-r ture, and portsc'in the rotor adapted to permit lthe yHow of explosive mixture to "12,111 a rotary engine, in combination,

a driven shaft, a rotor carried thereby,

maarre revolubly mounted pistons carried by the rotor revoluble in a plane at right angles to the plane of the rotor, a plate having a series of cylinders adjacent the rotor with which the pistons are adapted to coact, and a source of compressed .explosive mixture, said rotor having a series of ports corresponding to the series of cylinders adapted to permit a oW or the explosive mixture from its source to said cylinders.

13. In a rotary engine, in combination, a driven-shaft, a pair of s aced plates, aseries of reversely-arrange cylinders in each of said plates, a rotor between the plates and a plurality of piston members each having a plurality of pistons revolubly mountcdon said rotor adapted to turn in a plane at right angles to the plane or the rotor and successively coact with said series of cylinders, said rotor having a plurality of ports corresponding to the series of cylinders, and a source of explosive mixture communicating with thecylinders, the ioW of said mixture being controlled by the ports in said rotor.

14. `In a rotary engine, in combination, a driven shaft, a pai-r of spacedplates, a series of reversely arranged cylinders in each of said plates, a rotorbetween the plates, a plurality of piston members each having a plurality of pistons revolubly mounted on said rotor adapted-to turn in a .plane at right angles to the plane of the rotor andsuccessaid rotor having a plurality of ports corresponding to the series of cylinders, a source of explosive mixture communicating With the cylinders, and a ring surrounding said rotor and clamped between said plates having passages therein whereby opposite cylinders are placed in communication With each other. l

l5. In a rotary engine, in combination, a driven shaft, a pair of spaced plates, a series of cylinders in each of said plates, a rotor between the plates, a. plurality of piston members each having a plurality oit pistons revolubly mounted on said rotor adapted to turnin a plane at right angles to the plane of the rotor and successively coact with said vseries of cylinders, said rotor having a plutherein whereby opposite cylindersl are ,placed in communication with each other,

and spark plugs in said passages whereby explosions` take place simultaneously in opposite cylinders.

i6, In a rotary engine, in combination, a driven shaft, a Pelt. of spaced plates, a serien pil of cylinders in each of said plates, a rotor between the plates, a' plurality-of piston members each having a plurality of pistons revolubly mounted on said rotor adapted to turn in a plane at right angles to the plane.

of the rotor and successively coact with said series of cylinders, said rotor having a plurality of ports Corresponding to the series of cylinders, a source of explosive mixture communicating with the cylinders, a ring surrounding said rotor and clamped between said plates having passages therein whereby opposite evlinders are placed in communication, spark pl ugs in said passages whereby explosions take place simultaneously in opposite cylinders, and a magneto on said driven shaft Connected with said spark plugs.

17. In a rotary engine, in combination, a pair of spaced plates each having a series of eylin flers provided with inlets and outlets, a rotor between said plates having a plurality of piston members coaeting with said series of cylinders, a single sparir plug for each pair of cylinders. a magneto on a driven shaft controlling said spark plugs, and a compressor connected by said driven sha-ft Jfor supplying explosive mixture to said cylinders.

18. In a rotary engine, in combination, a pair of spaced plates each having a series of cylinders provided With inlets and outlets,

a rotor between said plates having a plu rality of piston members coacting with said series of cylinders, spark plugs for said cylinders, a magneto on a driven shaft controlling said spark plugs, a double acting Compressor, and a storage tank in c0mmunication with said compressor from which eXplosive mixture is supplied to said cylinders.

19; In a rotary engine, in combination, a casing having a closed chamber at one end thereof and an open chamber at the other, a compressor in said closed chamber, a earbureter in communication with said compressor, a pair of plates each having a series of cylinders, a rotor between said plates having a plurality of pistons adapted to successively coact with said cylinders, each of said cylinders having an inlet and outlet passage intermittingly communicating with said source of explosive mixture, spark plugs for said cylinders, and a magneto on the driven shaft for actuating said spark plugs in timed relation with the rotation of said rotor.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALVAH JEWEL HOWD. `Witnessesa EMILY F. CAMP, A. C. HEAP. 

